Income inequality may be the hot topic of America’s current election season, but it’s also a stark reality that has plagued the country for centuries. This sad story gives us an insight into what many people are still struggling with today. Feature-length documentary Plutocracy II: Solidarity Forever is a well-crafted and well-produced documentary about the long-running conflict between working class America and the behemoths of industry.
The film is the second part of an ongoing history series covering seminal work-related events from the late 19th century to the 1920s. Its subtitle references a 1915 song by Ralph Chaplin as a paean to unionized workers. The movie itself is the movie version of the song, as it brings home to us the necessity of these early unions and the enormous sacrifices their members made to ensure a fair, safe, and equal workplace.
The operations of industries such as railroads, steel, and coal were characterized by slave wages, hazardous working conditions, prison labor, and child labor. With the birth of unions, these industries were forced to rethink their labor policies or risk losing business altogether. One of the earliest examples is the formation of the Union of American Railroads in 1893, an event featured prominently in the film. After the group had initial success in recovering wages for maligned workers, its popularity among the working class soared. But business leaders quickly fought back with their wide reach, and the ensuing public strike was marred by violence, repression and illegal arrests.
Fans of modern politics will find the film’s portrayal of Eugene V. Debs, co-founder of the Industrial Workers of the World, aka the Waver, especially relevant, who eschews race, gender, skill level segregation, and neglect to criticize their actions on film, including the famous free speech struggle in California. In the age of Bernie Sanders and his idea of democratic socialism, it’s surprising that Debs’ popularity in the early 20th century was especially pronounced in today’s highly conservative state.
The director also examines the still-controversial “action propaganda” movement, which was essentially an anarchist terrorist campaign against wealthy elites. He did not judge these actions, but concluded that their net effect was to increase the powers of the police state.
Plutocracy II: Solidarity Forever is an essential watch for anyone interested in class struggle in America and leveling the playing field between rich and poor.
The other parts:
Directed by: Scott Noble
